| Date: | 27 July - 02 August 2010 |
| Place: | Papua, Indonesia |
| Purpose: |
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| Partners: | ELSAM National Human Rights Commission Institute for Criminal Justice Reform |
| Background and Activities: | The APT has been undertaking a five year torture prevention programme in Indonesia which comes to an end in December 2010. A number of activities were implemented in the context of this programme. In 2010, in accordance with scheduled activities, the APT intends to strengthen the capacities of the judiciary and law enforcement actors to effectively contribute to preventing torture, as well as continuing lobby work on ratification of OPCAT. Training on human rights for law enforcement and police in Papua APT’s Indonesian partner ELSAM initiated in 2010 an 18 months project focusing on the troubled Indonesian province of Papua. The project aims to reinforce the capacities of criminal justice officials in the province to uphold human rights in their work. ELSAM and an Indonesian NGO, the Institute for Criminal Justice Reform are convening the first in a series of three 5 day training modules for a group of 10 judges, 10 prosecutors, and 10 police, from 26 to 30 July in the city of Jayapura. The training will cover a broad range of human rights issues, including those with a special relevance in the province of Papua (non discrimination, rights of minorities and indigenous peoples). The APT teams up with police and human rights expert Michael Kellett to deliver two modules in the training on human rights in the administration of justice as well as impartiality of law enforcement. The recently translated Essex manual on the role of judges and prosecutors will be used as an important resource for the training. Focus group discussion on OPCAT in Indonesia The APT will also take full advantage of its presence in Indonesia to convene jointly with ELSAM and the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) a focus group discussion on advocacy for ratification and implementation of OPCAT. A number of preparatory events and initiatives have been undertaken over the past few years in order to advocate for ratification of OPCAT and reflect on the implications of implementation. Most recently, two workshops were undertaken in 2009 on Indonesia’s future National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) under the OPCAT, in February and December. Specific actions points were discussed and agreed during these two events, and a paper on standards for the NPM was produced by Komnas Ham and Komnas Perempuan. The upcoming focus group meeting will take place on 2nd August within the premises of Komnas HAM. It will gather a group of approximately 20 representatives from government, civil society, and independent institutions. On this occasion, participants will be able to take stock of advances towards ratification as well as adopting common strategies to address pressing challenges. |
| Expected Outcome: | Training on human rights for criminal justice officials in Papua
Focus group discussion on OPCAT in Indonesia
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| Unique Aspects: | The Indonesian province of Papua has been plagued by regular unrest over the past 30 years. Training and education on human rights for law enforcement and the judiciary has been encouraged by a number of leading UN bodies, including the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture as well as the UN Committee against Torture. |
| Next Steps: | On this occasion, the APT will also hold strategic planning meetings with its national partners in order to plan future activities, beyond the programme conclusion of 2010. Engagement with parliamentarians will be given particular attention. |
| Contact Person: | Vincent Ploton, APT Institutional Development Officer |